System and process for dispensing multiple and low rate agricultural products

ABSTRACT

A system for dispensing agricultural products includes an agricultural product container having a memory circuit associated therewith for storing data, the stored data including data unique to the container and the quantity of material dispensed including specific rates of application. An application rate meter device is operatively connected to the agricultural product container and is configured to dispense the agricultural product from the agricultural product container. Precision placement equipment includes a placement tube assembly operatively connected to the application rate meter device to place the agricultural products in the desired locations for efficient activity of the agricultural product. Each placement tube assembly is mounted between depth wheels of a depth control wheel assembly of a planter for placement of product in-furrow between the depth wheels.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/816,792, filed Nov. 17, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/521,908, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,820,431, filed Oct.23, 2014, which claims benefits of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/468,973,filed Aug. 26, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/870,667 filed Aug. 27, 2013.

U.S. application Ser. No. 14/521,908, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,820,431, filedOct. 23, 2014, also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 62/048,628, filed Sep. 10, 2014, and claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/895,803, filed Oct. 25, 2013.

The entire contents of Ser. No. 15/816,792, 14/521,908, 14/468,973,61/870,667, 62/048,628, 61/895,803, and are each hereby incorporated byreference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to material delivery systems foragricultural products, including fertilizers, nutrients, crop protectionchemicals, biologicals, plant growth regulators; and, more particularlyto material dispensing systems using distributed processing.

2. Description of the Related Art

In markets requiring the usage of chemicals, often hazardous substances,the Environmental Protection Agency and other regulatory bodies areimposing stricter regulations on the transportation, handling,dispersion, disposal, and reporting of actual usage of chemicals. Theseregulations, along with public health concerns, have generated a needfor products that address these issues dealing with proper chemicalhandling.

To reduce the quantity of chemicals handled, the concentration of thechemical, as applied, has been increasing. This has raised the cost ofchemicals per unit weight and has also required more accurate dispensingsystems. For example, typical existing systems for agricultural productdispensing use a mechanical chain driven dispenser. Normal wear and tearon these mechanical dispensers can alter the rate of product applied byas much as 15%. For one typical chemical, Force®, a pyrethroid typeinsecticide by Syngenta Crop Protection, an over-application rate of 15%can increase the cost of the insecticide by $1500 over 500 acres and maycontribute or cause unwanted crop response, such as plant phytotoxicityor unregistered amounts of pesticide residues in or on the crop.

Since many of the current agricultural product systems are mechanicalsystems, any record keeping and reporting must generally be keptmanually.

The foregoing illustrates limitations known to exist in many presentmaterial delivery systems. Thus, it is apparent that it would beadvantageous to provide an alternative directed to overcoming one ormore of the limitations set forth above. Accordingly, a suitablealternative is provided, including features more fully disclosedhereinafter.

Over the past decade, planting and chemical dispensing systems fordispensing seed and insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, nutrients,plant growth regulators, or fertilizers, have made the handling of seedand chemical liquids or granules less hazardous to the agriculturalworker by providing closed container systems, such as those described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,301,848 and 4,971,255, incorporated by reference hereinand the SmartBox® Dispensing System (hereinafter “SmartBox DispensingSystem”), marketed by AMVAC Chemical Corporation, a division of AmericanVanguard Corporation. Briefly, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,848,access to and from a container in a closed container system is availablethrough a single opening in the bottom wall of the container, offeringdistinct advantages over an open-top, non-removable container design inan open container system.

Closed container systems provide a removable container, which ispre-filled with the chemical or toxic materials such as insecticides,fertilizers, herbicides and other pesticides; or other agriculturalproducts, thereby eliminating the need to open and pour bags of chemicalproducts into storage hoppers. Since the closed container system islargely not open to the air, agricultural workers have less opportunityto come into contact with the chemical products, thereby reducing skinand inhalation exposure to the hazardous chemicals.

Currently, there is an industry program to double corn yields in 20years through use of new technology. At the present time, most productsthat are applied at planting are insecticides for the treatment ofnematodes, and soil insects, such as corn rootworm, and secondary insectpests; herbicides for the control of weeds in the seed zone; fungicidesfor the control of diseases and improving plant health; nutrients forimproving plant health, etc. There is research being conducted for otherproducts such as biological products, fertility products, fungicides,micro-nutrients, growth stimulants, the new area of RNA silencing orinterference gene technology, etc.

Additionally, a steady decline in the overall honeybee population yearto year is a growing problem worldwide. It has been reported that theair vacuum planters exhaust the insecticide dust from the treated seedthereby affecting the bee population. This effect on non-target speciescould be potentially reduced in a closed system.

Today, most granular products for pest control at planting time aredispensed at a rate above three ounces per thousand feet of row. Biggerplanters and distribution issues make it desirable for a moreconcentrated product to be applied at lower rates. Because ofapplication issues, special techniques and special equipment arerequired to provide proper application so these granular products canperform effectively. As will be disclosed below, the present inventionaddresses these needs.

Conventional systems, for granule placement in-furrow, use a plastichose and metal bracket. Wind and side hills may affect productplacement. Because they are placed behind the depth wheels the bracketsare constantly being misaligned by coming into contact with cropresidue, clods, and other field issues such as ditches and furrows.Also, since the furrow closure is determined by soil conditions, thefurrow may be closed by the time the chemical tube applies the chemicalto the furrow. Normally product is placed behind the depth wheels insuch a manner that the wind can blow the product off target under windyconditions prevalent during planting time. With conventional bandingequipment, the product is placed on the downhill side of the row on sidehills. OEM banding equipment is often times too wide and offers noprotection from the wind, which may not let the product be placed in thedesired application zone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention is embodied as a system fordispensing agricultural products including: an agricultural productcontainer; an application rate meter device; and, precision placementequipment. The agricultural product container has a memory circuitassociated therewith for storing data, the stored data including dataunique to the container and the quantity of material dispensed includingspecific rates of application. The application rate meter device isoperatively connected to the agricultural product container and isconfigured to dispense the agricultural product from the agriculturalproduct container. The precision placement equipment includes aplacement tube assembly operatively connected to the application ratemeter device to place the agricultural products in the desired locationsfor efficient activity of the agricultural product. Each placement tubeassembly is mounted between depth wheels of a depth control wheelassembly of a planter for placement of product in-furrow between thedepth wheels. The placement tube assembly includes an elongatedplacement tube arranged so that it descends from a portion of a framebehind the depth wheels to between the depth wheels.

Various combinations of products at planting with multiple containerscan be applied with this technology.

In another aspect, the present invention is embodied as a process fordispensing agricultural products at a low application rate. The processincludes the steps of providing product containers containing lowapplication rate, dry, granular agricultural products. The productcontainers are utilized to maintain product integrity during shippingand storage. Low application rate meter devices are operativelyconnected to the product containers and are configured to dispense theagricultural products from the plurality of product containers. Themeter devices are mounted on planters. The low application rate isdefined as a rate below 3 ounces per 1000 feet of row. Precisionplacement equipment is operatively connected to the plurality of lowrate meter devices to place the low usage rate agricultural products inthe desired locations for efficient activity of the agriculturalproducts. Low application rate meter devices and the precision placementequipment are operated to dispense the agricultural products at anoptimized efficiency. This maximizes the protection against pests andthereby increases yield.

The application rate range of the present invention provides for aconvenient package for handling and shipping. The containers are smallerand lighter than presently used containers. Manufacturing and shippingcosts are reduced. Furthermore, there is less volume of productresulting in reduced storage and handling requirements related to theproduct for the grower.

In some embodiments the product containers are rigid. In someembodiments the product containers may be disposable. (If disposableproduct containers are used the containers are utilized in conjunctionwith one or more configurable, rigid product reservoir.)

In an embodiment the low application rate is 1.0-2.0 ounces per 1000feet of row. In an embodiment the agricultural products areinsecticides.

In one embodiment the low application rate is 2.0-2.99 ounces per 1000feet of row. In another embodiment the low application rate is below 2.0ounces per 1000 feet of row. In another embodiment the low applicationrate is 0.01-1.9 ounces per 1000 feet of row.

The precision placement equipment typically comprises placement tubeassemblies. Each placement tube assembly is mounted for placement ofproduct in-furrow between depth wheels of a depth control wheel assemblyof the planter. The precision placement equipment typically comprisesbanders. Each bander is mounted behind a depth control wheel assemblyand foreword of a closing wheel assembly of the planter. Each banderpreferably includes a wind screen positioned thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram showing a system for dispensingagricultural products of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of one embodiment of an electromechanical meteringsystem for use with the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a planter in accordance withthe principles of the present invention showing a row grouping.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of ametering system.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of a planter in accordance withthe principles of the present invention showing utilization of sets ofagricultural product containers, shown side by side, mounted on a 16-rowcorn planter.

FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of a planter row unit withside-by-side containers, in a rear mounted position, in accordance withthe principles of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of a planter in accordance withthe principles of the present invention showing utilization of sets ofagricultural product containers, each set including one containermounted in front of a seed meter assembly and one container mountedbehind the seed meter assembly.

FIG. 9 is a low application rate dispensing planter row unitspecifically designed for dispensing agricultural products at a lowapplication rate, a depth control wheel being shown partially cutaway toexpose a rear mounted placement tube.

FIG. 10 is a perspective illustration of the placement tube assembly ofthe FIG. 9 low application rate dispensing planter row unit.

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of a portion of the low applicationrate dispensing planter row unit of FIG. 9, showing connection of therear mounted placement tube assembly to the frame of the dispensingplanter row unit.

FIG. 12 is a view taken from underneath the portion of FIG. 11 toillustrate the manner in which the placement tube assembly is attached.

FIG. 13 is a perspective illustration of a front mounted placement tubeassembly.

FIG. 14 illustrates the manner in which the front mounted placement tubeassembly of FIG. 13 is mounted to the frame of a dispensing planter rowunit.

FIG. 15 is a perspective illustration of another embodiment of a rearmounted placement tube assembly.

FIG. 16 illustrates the manner in which the rear mounted placement tubeassembly of FIG. 15 is mounted to the frame of a dispensing planter rowunit.

FIG. 17 is a perspective illustration of another embodiment of a rearmounted placement tube assembly.

FIG. 18 illustrates the manner in which the rear mounted placement tubeassembly of FIG. 17 is mounted to the frame of a dispensing planter rowunit.

FIG. 19 is a perspective illustration of another embodiment of a frontmounted placement tube assembly having a rock guard.

FIG. 19 is a perspective illustration of another embodiment of a frontmounted placement tube assembly having a rock guard.

FIG. 20 illustrates a bander mounted to the frame of a dispensingplanter row unit in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention.

The same elements or parts throughout the figures of the drawings aredesignated by the same reference characters, while equivalent elementsbear a prime designation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and the characters of reference markedthereon, FIG. 1 shows a simplified diagram of a planter 20 incorporatinga distributed control material dispensing system. The materialdispensing system of the present invention may be used with other typesof agricultural implements, but is primarily used with seed plantingequipment. Although the Figures show a single row of planting equipment,typical planters include multiple rows, for example, up to 48 or more.

The distributed control system includes a main microcontroller 10, whichcommunicates to a plurality of sub-controllers 60. (As used herein theterm sub-controller may alternatively be referred to as a secondarycontroller, slave controller, or row controller.) The sub-controllers 60implement commands received from the main control unit 10 by applyingelectric power to a metering system 70. The agricultural productcontainer 40 may contain a memory device 85 for retaining informationpertaining to the material in the container 40 and to a metering device72 of the metering system 70 (see FIG. 2). This information is used bythe main control unit (i.e. main microcontroller or master controller10) and the sub-controllers 60 to properly dispense the product.

The material dispensing system shown in the figures is a distributedcontrol system that employs the master microcontroller computer 10located in the operator's cab or integrated into the onboard masterdisplay and control system of the tractor. Typically, the materialdispensing system is used in conjunction with a seed planter 20 which isattached to and pulled by a farmer's tractor (not shown). Each row ofthe seed planter 20 includes a seed hopper and seed planting mechanism30 and an agricultural product container (i.e. typically a productcontainer) 40 and associated dispensing mechanism (i.e. meter system)70. The agricultural products are dry, granular products. (Liquiddispensing processes, on the other hand, utilize dissimilar processessuch as mixing in different tanks, etc.) Dry, granular agriculturalproducts include, but are not limited to, insecticides, herbicides,fungicides, fertilizers and other agricultural products. They also mayinclude growth hormones, growth promotion products, and other productsfor enhancing crop production. This master or main controller 10distributes command and control information via a high speed serialcommunications link 50, via a power distribution box 15, to thesub-controllers 60 connected to individual meter systems 70. Each rowcorresponds to one row in the field being planted. Each individual metersystem 70 is controlled by its own slave or row controller 60. The metersystem 70 includes an electronic memory circuit 80 and a metering ordispensing device 72 (see FIG. 2). The meter system 70 can bepermanently attached to the product container 40. The meter system 70may be attached using a known tamper evident securing system. The rowcontroller 60 includes a material flow sensor 62 (see FIG. 3) which isintegral with the row controller 60. The material flow sensor 62 detectsthe presence or absence of flow from the product container 40

The main microcontroller unit 10 may include a display 12 and keypad 14for operator interface. A speed sensing device such as radar, GPS, orwheel speed sensor 16 is connected to the main control unit 10 toprovide for the tracking/monitoring of ground speed. Ground speed isused to modify the material dispensing rate to account for the planter'sspeed. The main control unit 10 is connected to a plurality of junctionboxes 55. The junction boxes 55 are operatively positioned between apower distribution box 15 and the secondary controllers 60 by a highspeed serial communications link 50. The main controller 10 is inconstant communication through the serial communications link 50 to thesecondary controllers 60 located on the planter 20.

The secondary controllers (i.e. row control units) 60 allow a method ofmultiplexing signals going to the main controller 10. A main benefit isthat the main controller 10 can control a planter with only nine wiresgoing to a junction box 55. One pair of wires is used for serialcommunications, three pairs of wires are provided for power to the rowcontrol units 60 and to the metering devices 72. Three pairs of wiresare used for power to more evenly distribute the current requirements.The power distribution box 15 obviates the need for power to be suppliedby the master controller to the secondary controllers. The powerdistribution box 15 is independently connected to a power source asindicated by numeral designation 19. The power distribution box 15 isalso connected to a lift switch 21. The power distribution box 15 hasthree serial ports 22 for connection to the junction boxes 55. Itincludes suitable electronic overload protectors to prevent damage tothe system.

The main controller 10 also contains a suitable non-volatile memoryunit, such as “flash” memory, a memory card, etc. Information pertainingto the usage and application of agricultural products is stored in thisnon-volatile memory unit. This information is used to prepare printedreports which meet EPA reporting requirements. Currently, farmersprepare these written reports manually.

A preferred junction box 55 can connect up to eight row control units 60to the power distribution box 15. If the planter 20 has more than eightrows, additional junction boxes 55 can be connected to the powerdistribution box 15. The lift switch 21 is connected to the powerdistribution box 15. This switch indicates when the planter 20 is not inan operating position. Other interfaces to the main control unit 10 maybe provided such as serial or parallel links for transmittinginformation to other computer systems or printers.

The row control unit 60 has memory devices and logic devices within tomodify and implement the commands from the main controller 10. The rowcontrol unit 60 can read information from a container memory circuit 80(see FIG. 2) attached to the container 40 and may manipulate thecommands from the main controller 10 to properly operate the meteringdevice 72. For example, if the concentration or use rate of product onrow 1 is different than the concentration or use rate of product on row8, the row control unit 60 can modify the commands of the maincontroller 10 to properly dispense products to each row. The row controlunit 60 also reads metering device 72 calibration data from thecontainer memory circuit 80 and modifies the main controller 10 commandsto account for differences in performance of different metering devices.

The row control unit 60 allows the possibility to completely change theprogrammed functions of the main controller 10. As an example, if apre-programmed row control unit 60 is placed on a liquid herbicidesprayer, the main controller 10 would be able to read the dispenser typeinformation and operate as a liquid sprayer controller.

One embodiment shown in the figures uses one row control unit 60 tocontrol one metering device and memory unit 70. A row control unit 60can control more than one device, for example, two metering device andmemory units 70, or one metering device and memory unit 70 and one seedhopper and seed planting mechanism 30.

Each container 40 includes a metering or dispensing device 72, whichallows controlled application rates under different conditions. Themetering device 72 described herein is an electromechanical solenoiddriven device for dry material. Other type of dispensers may be used forother materials, such as liquids. One type of metering device isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,171,913, entitled “Self-Calibrating MeterWith In-Meter Diffuser”. Another type of metering device is described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,687,782, entitled “Transfer Valve For a GranularMaterials Dispensing System”. Another type of metering device isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,794, entitled “Metering Device forGranular Materials”. Another type of metering device for dry granularmaterial is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,372, entitled MeteringDevice for Granular Materials. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,171,913; 5,687,782;5,524,794; and, 5,156,372 are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

As will be discussed below in detail, the master controller 10 and thesecondary controllers 60 are configured to provide operator definedmultiple groups of rows. Each of the rows in a group has an operatorassigned dispensing rate and operator assigned agricultural product. Thedispensing rate and agricultural product are controllable by theoperator during operation, according to planting or field needs. Themaster controller 10 and the secondary controllers 60 are configured tocontrol multiple groups of rows simultaneously. A group of rows mayinclude a single row. Thus, for example, on a 48 row planter, 48different products can be applied, each at its own specific rate.Furthermore, each of the products and their corresponding rate can berecorded by the master controller 10 for use in record keeping.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a side view of the meter system is illustrated,designated generally as 70. The meter system 70 includes a meteringdevice 72 and memory unit 80. A base plate 71 is fastened to the bottomof the container 40. An electromechanical metering device 72 is attachedto the base plate 71. The preferred metering device 72 uses an electricsolenoid 74. The solenoid 74 is attached to one end of a pivot bar 75which pivots on pivot support 77. The other end of the pivot bar 75 isbiased into contact with material dispensing aperture 76 by a spring 78.The solenoid 74 is energized by the row control unit 60 to pivot thepivot bar 75 away from the material dispensing aperture 76, therebyallowing product to flow by gravity out of the container 40.

The solenoid 74 must be sealed from the product. Product entering thesolenoid 74 can cause its premature failure. The solenoid end of thepivot bar 75, the spring 78 and the connection of the pivot bar 75 tothe solenoid 74 are sealed by a cover (not shown) to prevent entry ofproduct into the solenoid 74. The preferred method for pivoting thepivot bar 75 and sealing the solenoid cover is to include a roundflexible washer (not shown) in the pivot support 77. This flexiblewasher, sometimes referred to as a living hinge, has a small hole in thecenter, smaller than the diameter of the pivot bar 75. The pivot bar 75is inserted through the small hole in the flexible washer. The flexiblewasher allows the pivot bar 75 to pivot and seals the solenoid coverfrom the product.

The electronic memory circuit (i.e. unit) 80 is connected to thesolenoid 74. A multi-conductor cable 82 and connector 83 are used toconnect the electronic memory circuit 80 to the row control unit 60. Inone embodiment of the present invention, the row control unit 60directly applies electrical power to the solenoid 74 through power wires81. In addition to connecting the row control unit 60 solenoid power tothe solenoid 74, the electronic memory circuit 80 also includes anon-volatile memory device 85. The memory device 85 may be an E PROM orother suitable non-volatile memory device that has an electricallyerasable programmable memory. The memory device 85 is equipped to handle48 or more rows.

The combination of the electronic memory 85 and the product container 40with attached metering device 72 may, in combination, form a materialcontainer capable of electronically remembering and storing dataimportant to the container, the material dispensing system, and theagricultural product. Among the data which could be stored are: a serialnumber unique to that container, product lot number, type of product,metering calibration, date of filling, quantity of material in thecontainer, quantity of material dispensed including specific rates ofapplication, and fields treated. These stored data can be recalled andupdated as needed. The stored data can also be used by a meteringcontroller or pumping system by accessing specific calibration numbersunique to the container and make needed adjustments, by sounding alarmswhen reaching certain volume of product in a container, or keeping trackof usage of the container to allow scheduling of maintenance.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in operation, the main control unit (i.e.master controller) 10 receives a desired dispensing rate from theoperator via the display 12 and keypad 14. The main control unit 10monitors the planter's 20 ground speed by the speed sensing device 16.Using the desired dispensing rate, the ground speed and basic dispensingcharacteristics for the metering device 72, command data for the rowcontrol units 60 are prepared. The preferred dispensing control for asolenoid type metering device 72 is to use a fixed rate for actuatingthe metering device 72, 0.5 seconds, and vary the on time (or dutycycle) of the metering device, 10% to 50%. The row control unit 60modifies the duty cycle specified by the main control unit 10 to accountthe actual metering device 72 calibration data which were retrieved fromthe memory device 85. The row control unit 60 continues to operate themetering device 72 at the rate and duty cycle specified by the maincontrol unit 10 until new commands are received from the main controlunit 10. The main control unit 10 may calculate the quantity of materialremaining in the product container 40.

As discussed above, the master controller 10 is connected to the powerdistribution box 15, which in turn, is connected to three junction boxes55 via high speed serial communications links 50. The row control unit60 has a flow sensor 62 as part of its electronic circuits. The flowsensor 62 senses the flow of material from the container 40. The maincontrol unit 10 can monitor the flow sensors 62 and generate visual andaudible alarms as required. The flow sensor 62 includes an infra-redlight source positioned across from an infra-red light detector. Thesetwo components may be mounted on a printed circuit board which is partof the row control unit 60. (A hole is made in the board between thelight source and the light sensor.) Alternatively, the flow sensor 62may be a separate unit operatively connected to the row control unit 60.The dispensed product is guided between the light sensor and the lightsource. The logic circuit associated with the flow sensor 62 monitorsfor the presence of flow by intermittent interruptions of the lightreaching the light sensor. Proper flow will cause intermittentinterruptions of the light. A non-interrupted light will signal nomaterial flowing from the container 40. A completely interrupted lightwill indicate no flow of material through the tubing after the flowsensor 62.

In some embodiments electromagnetic energy sensors can be used such asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,346,888, issued to Conrad, et al. entitled“Non-Resonant Electromagnetic Energy Sensor”, incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. The '888 patent discloses a non-resonantelectromagnetic energy sensor including an electromagnetic energy sourceand an electromagnetic energy detector in communication with theinterior volume of a measuring region through which an analyte passes.The electromagnetic energy detector detects the signal variations of theelectromagnetic energy within the measuring region caused by theperturbation of the electromagnetic energy field due to the passage ofthe analyte therethrough and responds to these signal variations bygenerating output signals. These output signals may then be received byelectronic circuitry designed for quantitative and/or qualitativedetection of the flow of various substances including individualparticles, particles flowing as a continuum, and non-turbulent fluids.Thus, it detects the presence, flow-rate, and/or volume of varioussubstances, whether the substance being measured is a solid, a liquid,or a gaseous material.

To operate the material dispensing system, it is necessary for the maincontrol unit 10 to uniquely identify the row control unit 60, meteringdevice and memory unit 70 pairs. Each metering device and memory unit 70includes a unique electronic serial number in the memory device 85. Eachrow control unit 60 also has a unique electronic serial number. When thematerial dispensing system is initialized, the main control unit 10 mustpoll or query all the metering devices and memory units 70 and rowcontrol units 60 to determine by serial number which units 70, 60 areattached to the planter 20. This is sufficient identification for thesystem to function. In the preferred embodiment, the operator should beable to refer to a row and its associated seed and material dispensingequipment as row x, rather than by the serial number of the meteringdevice and memory unit 70 or by the serial number of the row controlunit 60. To associate a particular metering device and memory unit 70and row control unit 60 to a particular row, a row configuration methodis provided.

The main control unit 10 is initialized in a configuration mode with norow control units 60 connected. The row control units 60 are thenconnected to the main control unit 10 via the power distribution box 15and the junction boxes 55 (one at a time) in the order in which theoperator would like them to represent. The first row control unit 60connected would represent row one. This allows an operator who prefersto work from left to right to have the left most row, row 1, and anoperator who prefers to work from right to left to have the right mostrow as row 1.

With, for example, 48 rows on a planter 20, it is necessary to controlor limit the current drawn by the metering solenoids 74. In thisexample, if all 48 solenoids were operated simultaneously, the electriccurrent demands could exceed the electric capacity of the operator'stractor.

The rate at which the metering device 72 is operated is typically 0.5seconds. The metering device 72 is actually activated at a 10% to 50%duty cycle (10% to 50% of the rate). The solenoid is turned on at 0.5second intervals for 0.05 to 0.25 seconds. The preferred method ofvarying the dispensing rate is to keep the rate fixed and vary the dutycycle. Minimum electric current demand can be achieved by sequencing theactivation of each metering device 72. The optimum sequence time isdefined as: Rate/Number of Rows. For a 4 row system operating at a rateof 0.5 seconds, the sequence time is 0.125 seconds (0.5 seconds/4). Thismeans that the metering devices 72 are started at 0.125 secondintervals. A variation of this sequencing is to divide the meteringdevices 72 into sections, and stagger the starting times of eachsection. In other embodiments, with different solenoids the duty cyclecan be increased, for example, to 90%.

The system operates in the following manner: Material dispensing beginswith the main control unit 10 sending each row control unit 60 a “start”command at the appropriate time (the sequence time). The row controlunit 60 does not actually receive and use the sequence time value.Because of variations in the operation of the multiple row control units60, the row control units 60 will drift away from the ideal sequencing.It is necessary to periodically issue a “re-sync” at approximately oneminute intervals and basically restart each metering device 72 whichre-synchronizes each row control unit 60 back to the main control unit's10 time base.

An alternate power sequencing method requires the main control unit 10to send a sequence time or delay time to each row control unit 60. Themain control unit 10 then sends a start command to all row control units60 simultaneously. Each row control unit 60 then activates theassociated metering device 72 after the time delay previously specified.

Referring to FIG. 3, after configuration 13 the operator is able to setproduct and application rate groups, as indicated by numeral designation17. Typically, there are multiple groups of rows that are defined by theoperator. The master controller and the secondary controllers areconfigured to control the multiple groups of rows simultaneously.However, it is within the purview of the invention that the operatordefines a single group. Different groupings will be discussed below indetail. The operator can define the rates and products for each row, asindicated by numeral designation 18.

The material dispensing system features and capabilities include:

Controls application rate of material under varying operatingconditions. The application rate(s) can be set by the operator from anoperator's console or can be automatically read from the materialcontainer meter unit.

Provides actual ground speed information if a ground speed sensor isattached. A typical ground speed sensor includes GPS, wheel rpm andradar. In lieu of a ground speed sensor, a fixed planting speed may beentered and used to calculate the application rate of the productmaterial(s).

The system monitors material flow and alerts the operator to no flow,empty container, or blocked flow conditions.

The system may monitor and track container material level(s) for eachrow.

The system provides control information and data to a non-volatilememory for future downloading.

The system monitors the planter to allow product to be applied only whenthe planter is in the planting position.

A typical usage for this system is:

1) In some embodiments, for a new product container, the metering deviceand memory unit 70 may be attached to the product container 40 by eitherthe container manufacturer or at the container filling site. In otherembodiments, the metering device and memory unit 70 may be attached tothe product container 40 by the grower.

2) A computer is connected to the metering device and memory unit 70.(In some embodiments this might be at the time of filling.) Thefollowing information may be electronically stored in memory device 85:

Date

EPA chemical ID numbers

Container serial number

Suggested doses, such as ounces per linear row foot for root worm, orounces per acre for grubs, etc. These rates are specified by themanufacturer.

Meter calibration information, depending on type of metering device

Tare weight of the container

Weight of the full container

3) The product container is sealed and prepared for shipping

4) The user takes the product container 40 and attaches to dispensingimplement, such as planter, sprayer, nurse tank, etc. The maincontroller 10 receives the information from the metering device andmemory unit 70 pertaining to proper application rates and prompts theuser to pick the desired rate(s). The row control unit 60 reads themetering device(s) calibration information from the metering device(s)and memory unit(s) 70. This information is used in combination withcommands from the main controller 10 to properly control the operationof the metering device(s) 72. The user may enter a field ID number andany other required information such as number of rows, width betweenrows, etc. The user applies the product(s) to the field. The maincontroller 10 monitors the ground speed and changes the amount(s) beingdispensed to keep a constant rate(s) per acre. When the user completesthe application to a field, additional fields may be treated. Fielddata, including field ID number, crop treated and quantity(ies) appliedare recorded in the main controller's 10 non-volatile memory. Thisinformation may also be recorded in the metering device(s) and memoryunit 70 for later use by the user, the agrochemical distributor orproduct supplier.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an example of row grouping on a corn planter isillustrated, designated generally as 100. In this example, there arefour groups—Group A, Group B, Group C, and Group D—designated for asixteen row planter 102. The grouping feature allows the growers(operators) to apply the correct product at different rates fordesignated rows in one planting operation. This example indicates thatGroup A includes rows 1-2 with Aztec® pesticide at a rate of 1.5 ounceper 1000 feet of row. Group B includes rows 3-8 with Aztec® pesticide ata rate of 2.5 ounce per 1000 feet of row. Group C includes rows 9-14with Counter® pesticide at a rate of 2.9 ounce per 1000 feet of row.Group D includes rows 15-16 with Counter® pesticide at a rate of 2.3ounce per 1000 feet of row.

This feature allows the grower to use different or the same product atdifferent rates due to different seed traits on designated rows. Forexample, this feature allows use of a lower rate(s) of product on triplestacked or quad stacked corn seed (root worm traits) on most rows on theplanter but on designated rows the grower may be planting refuge cornseed (non-root worm trait or non GMO corn). This allows the use ofhigher rates of product for the non-traited corn.

In certain embodiments the product release on the seed within a row canbe identified with color or another tracking mechanism such as detectionby size differential. This can provide differential application ofproduct. For example, different colored seed rates or products can beswitched by making the seed sensor color sensitive. Other seedcharacteristics can provide this differentiation such as infrareddetection (by heating the seed), magnetic detection, etc.

The grouping feature discussed above allows the grower to use differentproducts at different rates so he/she can do comparative evaluations tosee which product and rate works best for their farming and productionpractices.

The grouping feature allows the growers to use different products andrates as required by a third party. For example, this feature can beused in seed corn production where the male rows typically receive apartial rate of insecticide.

The grouping feature allows seed corn companies to run different trialsof products and rates on new seed stock production trials to determinewhat rates and products are best for their particular seed. For example,certain parent seed stock may respond (positive or negative) to certaincrop protection products and rates of the products. This groupingfeature allows the research to be accomplished in a timely fashion.

Setting row groups allows the grower to shut off certain rows whilemaintaining flow as needed from the rest of the row units. This savesproduct(s) and money where the product(s) is/are not needed.

Other embodiments and configurations may be devised without departingfrom the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.For example, referring now to FIG. 5, a side view of an alternativemeter system is illustrated, designated generally as 70′. In this system70′ the pivot bar is omitted and the metering device 72′ is externalfrom the container 40. This is done to eliminate one moving part (i.e.the pivot bar) if there is sufficient space. The meter system 70′includes a metering device 72′ and memory unit 80′. A base plate 71′ isfastened to the bottom of the product container 40 (not shown). Theelectromechanical metering device 72′ is attached to the base plate 71′.The preferred metering device 72′ uses an electric solenoid 74′. Thesolenoid 74′ is energized by the row control unit 60′ to retract thesolenoid plunger away from the material dispensing aperture 76′, therebyallowing product to flow by gravity out of the container 40.

The solenoid 74′ must be sealed from the product. Product entering thesolenoid 74′ can cause its premature failure. The solenoid 74′ is sealedby a cover to prevent entry of product into the solenoid 74′.

The electronic memory circuit (i.e. unit) 80′ is connected to thesolenoid 74′. A multi-conductor cable 82′ and connector 83′ are used toconnect the electronic memory circuit 80′ to the row control unit 60′.In one embodiment of the present invention, the row control unit 60′directly applies electrical power to the solenoid 74′ through powerwires 81′. In addition to connecting the row control unit 60′ solenoidpower to the solenoid 74′, the electronic memory circuit 80′ alsoincludes a non-volatile memory device 85′. The memory device 85′ may bean E PROM or any other suitable non-volatile memory device that has anelectrically erasable programmable memory.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the present system for dispensingagricultural products may include a plurality of sets of agriculturalproduct containers, the second in the set shown in FIG. 1 beingdesignated by numeral designation 40A. Each of the sets (40,40A) ofagricultural product containers is associated with a respective row inthe field. Agricultural product from each agricultural product container40,40A is dispensed in accordance with operator-defined instructions tothe master controller. The instructions are capable of being provided tothe master controller during planting allowing the dispensing ofindividual product containers to be controlled. Command data may be ofvarious types and from various input sources including, for example,field condition mapping using satellite telemetry combined with GPSlocation; previous year yield data input; soil analysis; soil moisturedistribution maps; and, topographical maps.

An identification device 41 may be positioned in association with aproduct container for providing identification information to the mastercontroller 10 (see also FIG. 3). The identification device 41 isgenerally affixed to the container 40. The identification device 41 ispreferably a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip for providingidentification information to the master controller 10. The mastercontroller 10 assigns the product container 40 and its operativelyconnected meter device 70 to a specific row. Identification informationtypically includes product name, rate, net weight of the product, etc.Preferably, if the product identification is not for an authorizedproduct then the operatively connected meter device 70 will not operate.Each product container 40, 40A generally includes its own RFID chip 41,41A. (Note that in FIG. 2, a memory storage device 85 is shown as partof the metering system 70. However, when an RFID chip 41, 41A is used,it is not physically attached to the metering system 70.)

Referring now to FIG. 6, a planter 106 in accordance with the principlesof the present invention is illustrated, showing utilization of 16 setsA, B of agricultural product containers, shown side by side. This figureshows the container sets A, B mounted on the rear of the 16 row cornplanter 106. Aztec® pesticide (containers 1A-16A) is for controllinginsects. Growth regulator (containers 1B-16B) is for enhancing plantgrowth. Thus, there are multiple meters per row, each meter beingoperatively connected to a product container of a set of productcontainers.

Applying the product directly into the furrow with the seed caneliminate the insecticide dust but still protect the seed. Also, someseed treatments may shorten seed life thereby making it impractical tosave seed for the next year. Also, treating at planting time gives thefarmer flexibility to use different seed treatments besides the seedtreatment that the seed company has applied. Another use is relative tosoil inoculants. Soybeans are inoculated and re-bagged but a highpercentage of the inoculating organisms are dead by planting time.Applying the inoculants or other biologicals to the soil at plantingtime may greatly reduce the amount of product used because they can bestored under better conditions. In the future, farmers may have manyother choices of products that may be applied at planting and may wantto apply more than one product with the planter.

Also, split-planter mapping has shown that when two different soilinsecticides are applied at planting time one insecticide may provide adifferent yield response from the other insecticide. This is becausedifferent insecticides work against different insect species. Thepopulation of insects may vary according to soil types and conditions.Corn nematodes are more likely to be in sandy soils and soybeannematodes can vary according to the PH of the soil. Other soil insectpest populations vary according to the amount and type of organicmaterial and soil moisture in the field. If a planter is equipped withdifferent insecticides, they can be applied, by using GPS, to the areawhere they are needed. Planters already have the capability to changehybrids of corn as soil types and characteristics change.

Thus, the planter can be equipped with several different products andapplied as need. Also, the products can be applied several differentways as needed. Product containers can be mounted in several locationson the planter as needed for application. There are several differentplacement options available for placing the product into or onto thesoil. For example, the present invention may include in-furrow placementand/or banding above the furrow. As discussed, the system can run, forexample 48 row units, with different products or rates in each row.Products can be applied together or applied in different areas. Forexample, one product can be applied in-furrow and another placed in aband. Also, sometimes multiple products such as seed treatments fordisease and inoculants are applied to seeds at the same time but thereis limited time for planting because they affect each other and will notbe active unless planted within a specific time. Applying products atplanting gives the farmer more flexibility.

FIG. 7, is a perspective illustration of a planter row unit 108 withside-by-side product containers 110, 112, in a rear mounted position. Aseed meter assembly 114 is positioned in front of the containers 110,112. The containers 110, 112 are mounted on a base unit, designatedgenerally as 116. The planter row unit 108 also includes a closing wheelassembly 118, depth wheel assembly 120, and row coulter 122.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a planter 124 in accordance with the principlesof the present invention is illustrated showing utilization of 16 setsF, B of agricultural product containers, each set F, B including oneproduct container F mounted in front of a seed meter assembly 126 andone product container B mounted behind the seed meter assembly 126.

Although FIGS. 6-8 only show two containers in a set of containers, aset may include numerous product containers. Higher crop prices alsomake multiple treatments more economical. The present invention providesapplication of multiple products to the same row at planting time. Asfuture agricultural science grows more products will become available.The present invention has the capability to apply them at plantingaccording to soil type, insect pressure, soil fertility, and plantrequirements.

In addition to addressing power sequencing improvements to minimize thepeak power requirement as noted above, additional embodiments of thepresent invention may include an in-meter diffuser that receives foreignmaterial and lumps in order to prevent the metering apparatus frombecoming clogged. In certain embodiments a pulsing electrical valveand/or a gate or door is utilized which opens or closes in order topermit the flow of chemical products. U.S. Pat. No. 7,171,913,incorporated by reference herein, discloses a diffuser and pulsingelectrical valve.

In certain embodiments, the effectiveness of soil-applied chemicals canbe increased at planting time by inducing seed and chemical granulesinto the same seed dispensing tube, delivering the chemical products anda seed in close proximity with each other in such a way that thechemical products are dispersed with the seed as the seed passes throughthe seed dispensing tube. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,564, entitled“Method and System for Concentrating Chemical Granules Around a PlantedSeed,” issued to Conrad, et al., discloses a system in which chemicalgranules are dispensed through a granule tube into a seed dispensingtube, where the granule tube is connected to the seed dispensing tube ata location above a lower opening of the seed dispensing tube, and wherethe lower opening of the seed dispensing tube is covered with a brush. Aseed is dispensed through the seed dispensing tube. The brush holdschemical granules within the seed dispensing tube such that chemicalgranules accumulate within the seed dispensing tube, and the brushallows a seed and accumulated chemical granules to pass through thelower opening when the seed is dispensed via the seed dispensing tube.

Thus, precision placement of chemical around the seed can optimizechemical utilization. In certain embodiments the agricultural productmay be dry and in others it may be liquid.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a perspective illustration of an embodiment ofa low application rate dispensing planter row unit is illustrated,designated generally as 128, which dispenses agricultural products at alow application rate. The low rate dispensing planter row unit 128includes rigid product containers 130 containing low application rateagricultural products. The rigid product containers being utilized aredesigned to maintain product integrity during shipping and storage. Apreferred rigid container is formed of high-density polyethylene (HDPE).The density of high-density polyethylene can range from about 0.93 to0.97 grams/centimeter³. An example of a suitable rigid container is highdensity polyethylene formed of Mobil™ HYA-21 HDPE or equivalentmaterial. It preferably has a wall thickness of between about 0.17 to0.28 inches.

In the past, pallets of bagged product were stacked four or five highfor months in the warehouse. A common procedure was to drop the bag onthe ground or floor to break them up if they seemed rigid. Standardapplication equipment has rotors to help grind up lumps. But this isonly moderately effective at rates commonly in use today because thecontrol orifices in the bottom of present meters are large enough topass some lumps. Lumps still get caught in the orifices until the rotorsforced them through. At lower rates the control orifice has to be smallenough to control the flow however this orifice size is too small forfree flow so the product has to be forced through the control orifice bythe rotor movement. Any lumps make the plugging issues worse. Also, amajor problem with paper bags is that cutting them, tearing them open,or other opening techniques causes small pieces of paper to enter theapplication system which can cause more plugging issues. Also, fillingthe planter equipment from non-closed systems with open lids allowsforeign material such as dirt, corn residue, to enter the system,causing plugging. This is especially problematic on windy days.

The utilization of rigid product containers obviates the problemsmentioned above.

Low application rate meter devices 132 operatively connected to therigid product containers 130 are configured to dispense the agriculturalproducts from the plurality of rigid product containers 130. As usedherein, the term “low application rate” is defined as a rate below 3ounces per 1000 feet of row.

When the weight of the inert ingredients (i.e. carrier) is lowered whilethe weight of the active ingredients is maintained approximatelyconstant, then the consistency is maintained within control parametersand pest damage is also maintained within acceptable parameters.

Granules used as carriers may include, for example, the following:

Amorphous silica—bulk density in a range from about 0.160 to 0.335 g/mL,

Biodac® carrier—bulk density in a range from about 0.64 to 0.79 g/mL,

Clay—bulk density in a range from about 0.40 to 1.12 g/mL,

Sand—bulk density in a range from about 1.6 to 2.1 g/mL.

Granules loaded with chemicals will typically have a bulk densitygreater than the above values by about 10 to 30%.

The granules used as carriers may have sizes, for example, withdiameters of from about 50 microns (fine sand, silica) to 4000 microns(coarse sand). Clay granules are typically around 500 microns, Biodac®granules are typically around 2500 microns.

A typical clay granule weighs from about 0.07 to 0.09 mg. A typicalBiodac® granule weighs around 0.2 mg. A silica granule weighs fromaround 0.02 mg to 0.05 mg. A sand granule can weigh up to about 5 mg(coarse).

One example of a granule used as a carrier has a bulk density of 0.866g/mL, an average granule size of 510 microns and an average granuleweight of 0.082 mg.

The agricultural products may be insecticides or a wide variety of othercrop enhancement agricultural products such as fungicides, plant growthregulators (PGRs), micro-nutrients, etc.

Most current meter designs have a moving rotor in them that acts as ashut off device and is constantly spinning the product inside theinsecticide hopper. As the application rate is reduced the amount ofgranules that are ground up and therefore the application rate isaffected. If a low application rate is used the meter orifice may besmaller than the free flow rate for the granules and will result in moregrinding and an uneven product flow. Also, at turnoff, the meter paddleforms a pool of product around the orifice that flows out as the planterturns around at end rows. John Deere & Company and Kinze Manufacturinghave made modifications to reduce this effect at rates in use today butthese modifications would not be effective at the low application rateindicated here.

In one embodiment, the low application rate meter devices 132 havelarger orifices than previous conventional meter devices so they canfree flow at lower rates. Preferably, the orifice diameter is in a rangeof 0.20 inch to 0.50 inch. An example of such a low application ratemeter device is embodied in the SmartBox Dispensing System which has anorifice diameter of 0.25 inch to 0.50 inch depending on the rate of theproduct used. (The orifice is referred to above with respect to FIGS. 2and 5 as an aperture.) The orifice diameter must be large enough todeliver more than the free flow of the intended product. The pulsing ofthe meter is one way to regulate the application rate of the product.

The low rate dispensing planter row unit 128 includes precisionplacement equipment operatively connected to the low rate meter devicesto place the low usage rate agricultural products in the desiredlocations for efficient activity of the agricultural products. As shownin FIG. 9, such precision placement equipment may include, for example,a placement tube assembly 134. Thus, the low rate meter devices and theprecision placement equipment dispense the agricultural products at anoptimized efficiency.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the placement tube assembly 134includes an elongated placement tube 136 connected to a foot 138. Thefoot 138 keeps the elongated placement tube 136 lined up with the depthcontrol wheel assembly (also referred to above as a “depth wheelassembly”) 140. Each placement tube assembly 134 is preferablyfabricated from stainless steel. Use of stainless steel preventscorrosion from effecting placement or plugging. The placement tubeassembly 134 shown in FIG. 9 is adapted to be utilized with a John Deereplanter, as shown in this figure. It is rear mounted. Thus, eachplacement tube assembly 134 is mounted for placement of productin-furrow between each depth wheel 142, 144 of the depth control wheelassembly 140 of the planter.

As can be seen in FIG. 10, the placement tube assembly 134 also includesan attachment bracket 146. As can be seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, theattachment bracket 146 is used to connect the placement tube assembly134 firmly to the frame 148 of the planter. Also shown in FIG. 11 is adepth wheel disc 150 that is attached to the frame 148 by an arm 152that controls the depth wheel 144. As can be seen by reference to FIG.12, the placement tool assembly 134 can be installed by removing thebolt 153 that fastens the closing wheel hinge assembly 155 byreinserting the bolt through the placement tube assembly and tighteningthe bolt. The top of the elongated placement tube 136 is placed throughthe existing in-furrow. Using the removed bolt 153, the elongatedplacement tube 136 is replaced and tightened. In use of the SmartBoxsystem it is preferred that a minimum 45 degree angle be maintained atany point along the product discharge path from the meter outlet to thein-furrow elongated placement tube. The elongated placement tube mayneed to be bent to adjust it accordingly. The plastic hose from theSmartBox system should be cut to length to eliminate any unnecessaryslack that could cause a flow restriction. Also, if using a seed firmerthe foot 138 may need to be cut off or bent up if restricting thefirmer's amount of travel.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-14, a front mounted placement tube assembly154 is shown. This tube assembly is also preferably stainless steel.This front mounted placement tube assembly 154 is also adapted to beutilized with a John Deere planter. It is attached to a front portion156 of the row unit frame of the planter.

This type of placement tube assembly may be used for SmartBox systemfront mount applications on John Deere planters equipped with threebushel seed boxes and on AGCO White 8000 series planters equipped withthree bushel seed boxes. It may be used on 2004 and earlier John DeereMaxEmerge®, MaxEmerge® 2, and MaxEmerge® Plus planters that have afabricated shank. (2005 and newer John Deere “XP” models that have aductile cast iron shank can use a front side mount placement tubeassembly.) The tube is welded into a hole that needs to be drilled intoeach planter row's opener guard (i.e. dirt shield, rock guard). The tubehas an offset bend to allow for mounting on planters equipped with rowcleaners. Additional bending may be required for proper fit up. (Allsections of the tube should be at a minimum of 45° angle for properproduct flow.) If row cleaners are not used, the tube's short bend isnot necessary and can be cut off prior to installation and welding ifdesired. For installation, the opener guard is removed. A ⅝ inchdiameter hole is drilled approximately 1 inch down from the top and inthe center of the opener guard. The tube is inserted and aligned so itprotrudes approximately 1 inch inside of the opener guard and weldedinto place. The opener guard is reattached. (Note: If the tube rubs onthe inside of the opening disks, it may be necessary to slightly flattenthis section of the tube. A minimum tube opening of 3/16 inch should bemaintained.) The placement tube assembly is installed as discussed abovewith respect to the previous embodiment.

Referring now to FIGS. 15-16, another example of a rear mountedplacement tube assembly is illustrated, designated generally as 158.This slightly curved rear mounted placement tube assembly 158 isparticularly adapted for use with a Case IH™ planter 160. This type ofplacement tube assembly may be used for all SmartBox system rear mountapplications on Case IH planters. It generally requires some bending tofit correctly into the tight space that it occupies. A suitable row isselected having proper access for installation of a tube. Any necessaryadjustments should be made prior to mounting on each individual row. Forinstallation the nut on the closing disks hinge is removed. The top endof the tube is threaded upward through the gap by the press wheel hinge.The bottom end of the tube is inserted into the seed shoe, while placingthe tubes mounting bracket tab over the hinge bolt. (Longer hinge boltsmay be required). It should be assured that the bottom end of the tubeis inside the seed shoe's skirt to prevent plugging. The nut is placedback on the bolt, and tightened to provide a final adjustment. The nutis removed and this process is repeated for all tubes, beforere-mounting them on their respective rows. The placement tube assemblyis installed as discussed above with respect to the previousembodiments.

Rear mounted placement tube assembly 158 provides enhanced placementinto the furrow. The Case IH closing wheel spring assembly tube 159 isintended to be used to provide for in-furrow application of product,however the tube 159 is behind the leading edge of the closing wheels sothe furrow tended to be closed up before the product can be dispensedinto the furrow. Rear mounted placement tube assembly 158 is positionedto apply product into the back of the seed shoe 161 before the furrowcan close.

Referring now to FIGS. 17-18, another example of a rear mountedplacement tube assembly is illustrated, designated generally as 162.This substantially straight rear mounted placement tube assembly 162 isparticularly adapted for use with a Kinze planter 164. Thissubstantially straight rear mounted placement tube assembly 162 issimilar to the John Deere device shown in FIGS. 10-11; however theattachment bracket 166 is oriented in a different direction toaccommodate the Kinze planter 164. This type of placement tube assemblymay be used for all SmartBox system applications on Kinze™ planters andon John Deere 7000 & 7100 series planters. For installation either theleft or right gauge wheel assembly is removed. The set screw/bolt andwasher on the gauge wheels mounting shaft is removed. From the bottom ofthe row unit, the tubes inlet opening is inserted through the holeprovided at the closing wheel's hinge point. The set screw/bolt is usedto fasten the tube to the row unit—the washer is not required. (If thereare problems starting the bolt, a slightly longer bolt may be required.)The mounting tab on the tube may need to be adjusted so the guide footis parallel to the ground. The gauge wheel assembly is then reinstalled.The placement tube assembly is installed as discussed above with respectto the previous embodiments.

The design is similar to the rear mount John Deere planter relatedplacement tube assembly 134 discussed relative to FIGS. 9-12.Modifications are made to allow attachment to the Kinze planter 164.

Referring now to FIG. 19, a rock guard equipped front mounted placementtube assembly 168 is illustrated that contains a rock guard portion 170.Placement tube assembly 168 is adapted for use with, for example, JohnDeere model 7200 planter.

Another type of precision placement equipment may be, for example, abander, for generating a band of product over a furrow. Standard bandersor spreaders fail to produce a good distribution pattern of granularproduct deposited on hillsides. The side-to-side slope of the groundaffects the bandwidth and distribution pattern of the product. As theplanter unit tilts on hillsides, the granule product runs toward thedownhill side of the bander. At about a fifteen percent slope, all ofthe granule product runs out of the downhill side depositing a thin bandof product downhill from the seed furrow, rather than a wide band overthe seed furrow. Such conventional banders have uneven patterns on levelground, lose thirty percent to sixty percent of the effective pattern ona seven to ten percent slope, and lose sixty percent to one hundredpercent of the effective pattern on a ten to twenty percent slope.Because of poor placement, agricultural products may be ineffectiveresulting in inefficient results, increased costs and lower crop yields.Those concerned with these and other problems recognize the need forimproved granular product banders. For the low rate applications of thepresent invention, a 4.5 inch bander is preferably used instead of the7-8 inch bander equipment conventionally used. Low application ratebanders are generally in a range of between about 3.5 inches to 5.5inches wide. (The bander size includes the windshield and isapproximately the width of the resultant band generated.)

Referring to FIG. 20, an example of such a bander is illustrated,designated generally as 172. In this example, an ATB™ bandermanufactured for Banders & Insecticide Systems of Walker, Iowa, isshown. The ATB bander includes a bander bracket 174 and a windshield176. ATB bander 172 is mounted behind a depth control wheel assembly andforeword of a closing wheel assembly of the planter. Low applicationrate banders, in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention, compensates for side hills to keep the band centered over therow. The windshield (or wind screen) 176 prevents the wind from blowingthe product off target. Generally, product banders include a housinghaving an upper neck section and a lower body section. The neck sectionhas a top opening for receiving a supply tube, and a horizontallydisposed deflector plate having feed openings at each lateral side. Thebody section is divided into a front compartment in communication withthe opening of one lateral side, and a rear compartment in communicationwith the opening at the other lateral side. Granular products flowinginto the front and rear compartments are directed laterally away fromthe respective feed opening by diagonal baffles and are discharged in aband laterally off-set from the feed opening. Such a bander is disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,255, entitled, “Granular Chemical Bander,”incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Banders are typically located behind the seed furrow closing (opening)mechanism on a planter. When the planter is traveling over level ground,the deflector plate remains horizontal and granular product flowsthrough the feed openings into both the front and rear compartments, andis deposited on the ground in two adjacent bands over the seed furrow.When the planter is traveling over sloping ground, the deflector plateis tilted and the granular product flows out of the low side feedopening, into the respective compartment and is deposited on the groundin a single band on the uphill side of the seed furrow.

In industry today it is very common to use a seed treatment. Fungicideor an insecticide is used to treat the seed and its amount is limited tothat which can be applied to the outside of the seed. Conventionaldispensing systems are generally held by this limitation of applyingproduct on the outside of the seed as a coating. However, if product canbe applied in the furrow there can be substantial advantages. Thepresent invention provides these advantages. In this embodiment,agricultural products are not applied directly onto the seed itself as aseed treatment. Instead they are applied in the zone of the seed, i.e.in the furrow. The present inventive features provide the ability toprovide this placement. The seed itself is not required to be treated.Instead, the soil is treated. Use of seed coatings result in equipmentproblems, germination problems/complications, reduced seed viability,length of seed storage issues, etc. With the present inventionminimization of seed as a carrier is provided. Many more options areprovided to the farmer obviating issues regarding storing the seed fromyear to year.

Although the system for dispensing agricultural products at a low rateof the present invention has been discussed relative to its placement ona planter row unit, the system can be positioned on a planter off of therow unit. It can be placed on another part of the frame of the planterdue to, for example space restrictions, preventing it from being placeddirectly on the planter row unit.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments ofthe devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts,and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/orexamples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will beunderstood by those within the art that each function and/or operationwithin such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented,individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software,firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment,several portions of the subject matter described herein may beimplemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), FieldProgrammable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs),General Purpose Processors (GPPs), Microcontroller Units (MCUs), orother integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art willrecognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, inwhole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integratedcircuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or morecomputers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computersystems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors(e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors),as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designingthe circuitry and/or writing the code for the software/and or firmwarewould be well within the skill of one skilled in the art in light ofthis disclosure.

In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that themechanisms of some of the subject matter described herein may be capableof being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, andthat an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described hereinapplies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium usedto actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearingmedium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable typemedium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), aDigital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and atransmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analogcommunication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wiredcommunication link, a wireless communication link (e.g., transmitter,receiver, transmission logic, reception logic, etc.).

Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the arthas progressed to the point where there is little distinction leftbetween hardware, software, and/or firmware implementations of aspectsof systems; the use of hardware, software, and/or firmware is generally(but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between hardwareand software can become significant) a design choice representing costvs. efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in the art will appreciatethat there are various vehicles by which processes and/or systems and/orother technologies described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware,software, and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will varywith the context in which the processes and/or systems and/or othertechnologies are deployed. For example, if an implementer determinesthat speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for amainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibilityis paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly softwareimplementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt forsome combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, thereare several possible vehicles by which the processes and/or devicesand/or other technologies described herein may be effected, none ofwhich is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to beutilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the vehiclewill be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, orpredictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary. Those skilledin the art will recognize that optical aspects of implementations willtypically employ optically-oriented hardware, software, and or firmware.

As mentioned above, other embodiments and configurations may be devisedwithout departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of theappended claims.

1. A system for dispensing agricultural products, comprising: a) anagricultural product container having a memory circuit associatedtherewith for storing data, the stored data including data unique to thecontainer and the quantity of material dispensed including specificrates of application; b) an application rate meter device operativelyconnected to said agricultural product container configured to dispensethe agricultural product from the agricultural product container; c)precision placement equipment including a placement tube assemblyoperatively connected to said application rate meter device to place theagricultural products in the desired locations for efficient activity ofthe agricultural product, wherein each placement tube assembly ismounted between depth wheels of a depth control wheel assembly of aplanter for placement of product in-furrow between the depth wheels;and, wherein said placement tube assembly includes an elongatedplacement tube arranged so that it descends from a portion of a framebehind the depth wheels to between the depth wheels.
 2. The system ofclaim 1 wherein said memory circuit comprises a radio-frequencyidentification (RFID) chip positioned on the agricultural productcontainer.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein said memory circuitcomprises a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip and wherein if aproduct identification is not for an authorized product then anoperatively connected meter device will not operate.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said stored data includes fields treated.
 5. The systemof claim 1, wherein said stored data includes a serial number unique tothe container.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein said application ratemeter device comprises a low application rate meter device, said lowapplication rate meter device configured to dispense low applicationrate, dry granular crop enhancement products, said low application ratebeing below 3 ounces per 1000 feet of row.
 7. The system of claim 1wherein said application rate meter device comprises a low applicationrate meter device, said low application rate meter device configured todispense low application rate, dry granular crop enhancement products,said low application rate being below 3 ounces per 1000 feet of row;and, wherein said low application rate, dry granular crop enhancementproducts are selected from the set of agricultural products consistingof: insecticides, biological products, fertility products, fungicides,micro-nutrients, growth stimulants, and, RNA silencing or interferencegene technology products.
 8. A process for dispensing agriculturalproducts at a low application rate, comprising the steps of: a)providing a plurality of product containers containing low applicationrate, dry granular crop enhancement agricultural products; b) providinga plurality of low application rate meter devices operatively connectedto said plurality of product containers configured to dispense theagricultural products from the plurality of product containers, saidplurality of low application rate meter devices being mounted onplanters, said low application rate being defined as a rate below 3ounces per 1000 feet of row; c) providing precision placement equipmentincluding placement tube assemblies operatively connected to saidplurality of low rate meter devices to place the agricultural productsin desired locations for efficient activity of the agricultural productswherein each placement tube assembly is mounted between the depth wheelsfor placement of product in-furrow between the depth wheels of a depthcontrol wheel assembly of the planter; and, d) operating said pluralityof low application rate meter devices and said precision placementequipment to dispense the agricultural products at an optimizedefficiency, wherein each of said placement tube assemblies includes anelongated placement tube arranged so that it descends from a portion ofa frame behind the depth wheels to between the depth wheels, whereineach product container has a memory circuit associated therewith forstoring data including a quantity of material dispensed, the quantity ofmaterial dispensed including specific rates of application.
 9. A meterdevice for use with a system for dispensing agricultural products at alow application rate, wherein the system for dispensing agriculturalproducts at a low application rate includes a plurality of lowapplication rate meter devices each operatively connected to productcontainers configured to contain low application rate, dry, granularagricultural products, wherein each of said low application rate meterdevice, comprises: an in-meter diffuser, and wherein each of said lowapplication rate meter devices is mountable on a planter, and isconfigured to dispense the agricultural products at an application ratebeing defined as a rate below 3 ounces per 1000 feet of row.